New Mexican residents of who live near the border say help can't come soon enough after break-ins, kidnappings and last week's slaying in nearby Arizona.

It comes on the heels of Gov. Bill Richardson's order for more National Guard troops to patrol the border.

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Michelle Armbruster lives in Rodeo in Hidalgo County and has lived near the border her entire life. She said the violence started to escalate in 2006 when the newly elected Mexican president declared war on the drug cartels.

"I'm just scared what's going to happen with the residents if we don't get some help down here," said Armbruster.

Authorities said last week an illegal immigrant shot and killed Arizona rancher Robert Krentz, a close family friend of Armbrusters.

"My understanding of what happened the other day is that Rob had helped a Border Patrol Agent with some drug runners and it was retaliation that caused them to attack him," said Armbruster.

Armbruster said drug runners continue to ravage the small New Mexico and Arizona communities that surround the border.

"A couple of months ago, an older couple were -- two illegals came in, tied them up, stole their vehicle and they later found them in Lordsburg," said Armbruster.

Some of Armbruster's neighbors had their homes broken into up to a dozen times. While the ranchers wait for the National Guard troops to help patrol the border, Armbruster said her community has already drawn the line and decided to take safety into their own hands.

"We have guns. We have guns. We have dogs and we have each other," said Armbruster.

Armbruster also said she will certainly welcome all of the National Guard Troops to the southern part of our state. She hopes they can help put a stop to all of this violence because she says she will not consider leaving the community she grew up in.